Lucky Craft Flash Minnow 110 - Hook Replacement

The Lucky Craft Flash Minnow 110 is the most heavily used hardbait along the shores of southern California. Although these lures are incredibly effective, the lure can be upgraded by replacing stocked hooks.

The Lucky Craft CIF model Flash Minnows are stocked with (3) #6 Owner ST-31 treble hooks. Although these hook are “sticky” sharp, the size and inability to resharpen the hooks (due to cutting point design) is enough to convince an experienced user of hardbaits to replace stocked hooks with hooks that are larger and easy to resharpen.

I’ve personally tested out just about every treble hook on the market and in my journey to find the “perfect” treble hook, I came across the Owner ST-46. These are the same hooks are that equipped on other Japanese made hardbaits. They are extremely corrosion resistant and resharpening these hooks is a breeze. However, there is one let down. Owner ST-46 hooks are made ONLY for the Japanese market!

If you can’t order the Owner ST-46 hooks online, I would suggest using a Gamakatsu EWG Treble in the BRONZE finish. Yes I said BRONZE! Believe it or not, black nickel or black chrome finishes RUST easily in saltwater. Gamakatsu bronze hooks are very resistant to rust (simply rinse it with freshwater after use and you are good to go).

The Gamakatsu EWG trebles are designed very similarly to Owner ST-46 trebles. The point of the hooks are angled inward towards the eye resulting in a design that is less prone to “straightening out.” Another great feature of the EWG treble hook is the ability to quickly and easily resharpen the hooks. Run a hook file a few times and your hooks are good as new.

* When fishing from the surf, hooks are constantly dragged along the sand and rocks and become noticeably dull. Repeatedly check your hook points throughout the day (especially if you bang it against a rock).